James Kirtley proved once again that England's loss is Sussex's gain.

Kirtley took his Championship haul for the season to 30 with two more wickets as the county gained the upper hand against Kent at Tunbridge Wells.

Released from the England Test squad for the second time in a fortnight, he flew south in time to rejoin his county team-mates at 3.30pm and took 2-47 from ten overs as Kent closed on 188-5 in reply to Sussex's 311.

A fortnight ago, after he was left out of the team for the first Test at Lord's, he took six wickets in the Championship victory over Nottinghamshire at Horsham.

Skipper Chris Adams said: "The new regulation regarding substitutes which has been brought in is a good one and we're happy to take advantage of it, but we're also really disappointed that James has missed out again.

"I really feel for him because he's as ready to play now as he ever will be.

"The consolation I suppose is that at the moment he is regarded as the 12th best cricketer in the country and I hope he will get his chance at some stage this summer."

Richard Johnson was preferred ahead of Kirtley and made his Test debut for England eight years after originally being called into an international squad.

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